It is an honor to be asked to speak to you. I know that all of us here today have many wonderful memories of our time with Kevin and I would like to share with you a few words about his hot rodding career on behalf of Kevin’s family, the Romans and fellow hot rodders.

Kevin was also fondly known by his friends as Kev or Kevo. Kevin took an interest in cars at a very early age. In 1960 he started building his first hot rod, a 1932 ford roadster channeled over a 34 chassis. During the build he also had a 1937 Chev Sedan as a run around . He started building the roadster in a very small box he called a shed, made from what we believe to have been piano boxes. This shed was so small his head would rub against the roof. Kevin began on his Ford with the use of a full Boyd Codington Tool Kit consisting of ½ - 9/16 ring spanner, a hacksaw & a hammer. The channeled roadster was completed and registered in 1967 with its very cool 347 Pontiac motor.

In 1965 Kevin became heavily involved in the early Sydney Hot Rod Shows where he also showed his unfinished Roadster. Kevin and his young mates had great guidance from Austin Arrowsmith and sponsorship from Ampol during this time. While Kevin was an apprentice electrician the business he worked for came up for sale and that’s when Kevin became his own boss. Kevin then bought a 1958 Pontiac Stratosphere 4 door sedan as a family hack. Many years later on a spur of the moment…. he sold it. A few years on Kevin got the hot rod building itch again, with an updated tool box he started work on his 27 Tudor, this time in a much larger garage. After the completion of the Tudor Kevin felt the calling of his old Pontiac family car, he tracked it down to a country town near Victoria and talked the owner into selling it to him. He brought it back home again, which turned his large garage into a familiar cramped one- like the old days. While comfortable in a small garage again and with his third updated tool box he rebuilt his pioneering channeled 32 Roadster from the ground up.

Kevin was the driving force behind the Romans for over 46 years, never missing club and committee meetings. He attended every Hot Rod Run possible. Kevin was a winner of the Romans Club Member of the Year Award many times. He was also the main instigator of the move from the small meeting room at The Bexley School of Arts to the mansion the Romans today call ‘The Club House’ at Taren point. Kevin’s involvement with hot rod shows strengthened in the 90’s, he became the main man responsible for the reformed AHRC. If not for Kevin, Sydney would not have a Hot Rod Show. He also was involved with the Show Promoters Association. When Kevin first entered hospital his mates pulled together to finish his Pontiac….. but unfortunately time ran out. Just last week he was aware that she had been fired up for the first time and he knew his friends would finish it for him and was very grateful. The family would like to thank personally those who have put so much time into helping with the Pontiac.

Craig HarrisPhil BissellGeoff LowSteve PoultonJohn TaylorMatt BellAlan DawsonIan DickerRoss SuppleAnd many others who have given up their time to help.

There were many others that gave Kevin a lot of personal support during his illness in the last few months and the family also sincerely thank them. Kevin was such a good mate and friend he would always give you free electrical advice and help where needed and it will never be forgotten. Kevin is not alone, he is with family, friends and many other Hot Rodders. Kevin was a man of high principles. He was loved and respected by all Romans members and the Australian Hot Rodding Community. Kevin was a complete Hot Rodder from head to toe. Kevin’s influence on hot rodders will live on. We will forever miss him and will never forget him. We love you mate."Thanks Kev"